Episode 73: Pediatric Occupational Therapy

In this episode our guest is Ms. Eliane Dionne. Eliane is a practicing pediatric occupational therapist who works in the province of Quebec while concurrently completing her doctoral studies. She came to the cafe to discuss what occupational therapy is, how to choose the right occupational therapist, myths surrounding the profession and the impact her PhD research can have on practice. Grab your warm drink and tune in for a great conversation!

Some key takeaways:

• Eliane explains the scope of occupational therapy, focusing on aiding children with motor coordination disorders, addressing misconceptions about the field, and the need for systemic changes to support children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
• Occupational therapists are rehabilitation professionals who help people that are having trouble with activities of daily living
• The conversation emphasizes the practical, real-life approach of occupational therapy and identifies the potential for OTs to help children make friends and improve social connections.
• It is a good idea to interview the OT to see if they are a good fit for your needs
• Referrals to OTs often come from teachers or doctors
• She outlines her dual career path as a clinician and a researcher, working with children with motor coordination disorders and exploring the academic implications of these conditions.

About Eliane Dionne

Eliane is a private self-employed Occupational Therapist working in the Gatineau and Montreal regions. She has been working with a pediatric clientele with various physical and mental health issues, primarily ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental coordination disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is concurrently completing her doctoral studies at McGill University, where she studies the learning implications of motor disorders during childhood, particularly towards mathematics, to better support Occupational Therapists that are providing services to this clientele.

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